Concert review: Jennifer Nettles at Hard Rock Live

Jennifer Nettles exuded such a presence in hit-making country duo Sugarland that it seemed inevitable she’d eventually launch a solo career without partner Kristian Bush.

On Friday, the singer showed that she’s more than capable of working alone in a solidly executed 90 minutes at Hard Rock Live. With only a few Sugarland hits in the mix, the show was mostly powered by songs from her new solo debut album, “That Girl.”

Produced by Rick Rubin, the man known for coaxing the best out of acts ranging from Johnny Cash to the Dixie Chicks, the new songs cover a range of styles from pop to country and gospel. Alas, there’s nary a rip-roaring rocker in the bunch, a fact that made the pace of Friday’s concert more mannered than one might expect of someone with such a super-sized persona.

Nettles didn’t wait long to showcase her powerful vocals. She opened with the album’s title track, shifting from understated verses into one of night’s many big choruses built for her expressive vibrato. Like much of the new material, the song sat atop a foundation of frisky percussion.

Her agile rhythm section also elevated the loose-limbed swing of “Moneyball” and the vaguely Latin “Jealousy,” songs that sounded more forceful live than in the studio arrangements.

“You seem like a sassy bunch,” she said before “Jealousy.” “I’ll get a little sassy on this one.”

More sassiness would have elevated the relentlessly mid-tempo material.

Fortunately, Nettles offered a few energetic Sugarland favorites: “Baby Girl,” “Something More” and “Stay” inspired spontaneous ovations and sing-alongs, while the catchy “All I Want to Do” was more fun than any of the new stuff. Too bad that covers such as Barry Manilow’s “Weekend in New England” and Ambrosia’s 1970s hit “Biggest Part of Me” often weren’t worth the time.

There was more subtle style in the 30-minute opening set by singer-songwriter Brandy Clark. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Clark held the crowd’s attention with well-crafted songs such as “Get High,” “Better Dig Two” (a song she co-wrote for country act The Band Perry) and “Mama’s Broken Heart,” a hit she co-wrote for Miranda Lambert. Clark is poised for her own solo career.

On Friday, however, it was Nettles’ turn to shine in the spotlight alone.